The Province continues to expand forest opportunities for individuals, groups and First Nations with the offering of a new woodlot licence near Lumby, MLA for Vernon-Monashee Eric Foster announced today.

The woodlot (W2021) includes 1,138 hectares near Mabel Lake about 20 kilometres north of Lumby, with an allowable annual cut of 3,600 cubic metres.

Applications and further details are available online at: http://www23.for.gov.bc.ca/notices/init.do

Applications must be received in sealed envelopes at the ministry's regional office in Kamloops at 441 Columbia St., V2C 2T3 by 10 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2013.

Expanding the woodlot program to provide smaller operators with new tenure opportunities is one example of how this government is enabling job creation as part of 'Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan'.

Quotes:

Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson -

"Woodlots create employment, support local forestry businesses and mills, and promote enhanced silviculture and stewardship of our forests. We are working to diversify the forest sector by increasing the role for small tenure holders in British Columbia."

MLA for Vernon-Monashee Eric Foster -

"Expanding the woodlot licence program is good for smaller communities like Lumby and will provide local employment opportunities."

Brian McNaughton, general manager, Federation of B.C. Woodlot Associations -

"The federation is very pleased that the ministry continues to expand the woodlot program. Each new woodlot licence contributes to the local economy by creating direct and indirect jobs, and by providing a source of wood for local milling and manufacturing."

Quick Facts:

• There are about 860 active woodlots in British Columbia.

• Woodlots are replaceable tenures, usually awarded for an initial term of 20 years.

• Each woodlot generates jobs in planning, harvesting, road construction and maintenance, reforestation, silviculture and small-scale timber processing.

• Woodlot licences are small, area-based tenures that combine private land with up to 800 hectares of Crown land on the Coast and 1,200 hectares of Crown land in the Interior.

Learn More:

The BC Jobs Plan: http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/

About woodlot licences: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hth/timber-tenures/woodlots/index.htm

Media Contact:

Brennan Clarke
Public Affairs Officer
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 356-5261